358 MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 



prime meridian the clocks will require to be moved forward, to the east 

 backward. In Europe, Asia, and Africa the change would thus be 

 effected : 



II. Clods in the hour zones of the east meridians. 



Meridian east. Hours. 



150") CI 



30O I 2 



450 I 3 



6O0 r'^ill have to be moved l}ackward-{ . 



750 I 5 



Thus, for example, New Orleans, in the hour zone of the 90th meridian 

 west, would have its clocks advanced six hours, while Calcutta, in the 

 90th meridian east, would have its clocks retarded six hours. By the 

 same simple process of transition, every city and district on the sur- 

 face of the globe may be brought to the one common time-reckoning. 



It is a significant fact that at the Washington Conference the prin- 

 ciple of Universal Time obtained unanimous recognition from the dele- 

 gates of so many nationalities. It is a i^resage that the peoples whom 

 they represent will before long be fully impressed with the belief that 

 a system of reckoning time uniformly throughout the globe is really 

 the one rational system by which it can be noted, and the only system 

 which will meet the demands of the human family in coming years. It 

 is only step by step that a reform so great can be carried out. More- 

 over, although the difliculties to be overcome are undoubtedly serious, 

 this much may be said with confidence, that they are less formidable 

 than those which have already been conquered. A few years back the 

 very question of a universal time for all nations was a theory not only 

 new in itself but it was held by many to be wild and Utopian, and so 

 impracticable as to be unworthy of consideration. In 1878 the subject 

 could not command a hearing at the British Association! Since 1878 

 the arguments advanced to point out the necessity of change have, 

 however, obtained attention, and a general movement for reform has 

 been inaugurated. Scientific and practical men and learned societies 

 in both hemispheres have taken part in the consideration of the ques- 

 tion. It has formed the subject of discussion at International Con- 

 gresses at Venice and Eome. The President and Congress of the United 

 States have been induced to take decisive action in connection with it. 

 The governments of twenty-five civilized nations have aided in its devel- 

 opment. The International Washington Conference itself has greatly 

 promoted the solution of the problem by coming to an unanimous de- 

 termination on the essential principles to be observed. In several coun- 

 tries the recommendations of the conference have already in part been 

 acted on, and changes have been effected which a few years back were 

 not even dreamed of. 



